The Laws of Charisma

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How to Captivate, Inspire, and Influence for Maximum Success

Author:
Kurt W. Mortensen

ISBN:
9780814415917

Format:
Hardback

Price:
$21.95

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Overview

When you speak…are people influenced?
Some people have the ability to enter a room and draw instant attention, effortlessly exuding charm, radiating energy and a commanding presence. That enviable quality is called charisma…and those who have it are better able to influence what gets done and ultimately achieve what they want. To some extent, it's innate—but with a few simple principles anyone can develop a more charismatic and compelling presence.

Filled with practical, powerful tools, exercises, and assessments, The Laws of Charisma explores the vital skills and traits anyone can use to earn trust, generate interest, and motivate others. Focusing on the four core elements of charisma, this book shows readers how to:

Charisma is the key that will unlock the door to improved relationships, greater income…and enhanced success in every area of life. The Laws of Charisma is all anyone needs to bring out the charismatic person within.

About the Author

KURT W. MORTENSEN is one of America's leading authorities on persuasion, motivation, and influence. A highly sought-after consultant, trainer, seminar leader, and speaker, he is the author of Maximum Influence and Persuasion IQ.

Eight Core Qualities of Charismatic People

Would you like to become one of those enviable people who captivate and inspire just about everyone they meet? Would you like to dramatically increase your potential for career success? The key to achieving both, and much more, is developing the traits and skills that add up to charisma—the ability to empower and persuade others to want to be influenced by you.

A noted consultant, trainer, speaker, and author who has studied influence and its tools for most of his working life, Kurt W. Mortensen considers charisma "a vital life skill.? In his new book, THE LAWS OF CHARISMA (AMACOM 2010), Mortensen explores the power of charisma and how to harness it. As he shows, charisma has many components, including the following eight core qualities:

• Self-discipline. Charismatic people have willpower. They work on changing their weaknesses and stay committed to controlling their habits, emotions, minds, and bodies.

Charisma key:To develop self-discipline, start by choosing one habit that is holding you back from achieving your objectives. Find your solution and then create a game plan.

• Competence. Charismatic people have comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in their field. They continually learn from their mistakes and keep on top of advancements in their industry.

Charisma key:To develop competence, practice patience. Keep focused and keep learning until you master whatever it takes to be a worthy role model.

• Intuition. Charismatic people follow their instincts. They listen to their inner voice—the voice of their own previous experience and past knowledge—and trust it to guide them.

Charisma key:To master intuition, start by opening your mind to the wisdom inside you. Take time to be alone with your thoughts.

• Purpose. Charismatic people dream big and have a clear sense of direction. They know what they want and have tapped into their inner drive to achieve it.

Charisma key:Look at every obstacle you encounter as a way to get one step closer to fulfilling your purpose. Confront each challenge with optimism and ask, "What do I need to learn??

• Integrity. Charismatic people demonstrate consistency between their values and their actions. They know exactly what they stand for and let their convictions dictate their decisions. They are honest, sincere, and reliable.

Charisma key:Today (and every day), do what you say you are going to do.

• Courage. Charismatic people face their fears and take risks. They make tough decisions, take full responsibility for the consequences, and keep going even when times are rough.

Charisma key:Choose one fear that is holding you back and face it today. Freedom from the bondage of past experiences is the first step to developing true contagious courage.

• Creativity. Charismatic people are resourceful and imaginative. They seek out and find new solutions to problems. They inspire others to think about possibilities.

Charisma key:To master creativity, you must have access to new information. Branch out and learn from many different industries and sources—including children, who are naturally creative.

• Focus. Charismatic people concentrate their mental energy on clearly defined priorities. They resist distractions and make the best use of their vital time. They don't confuse being busy with accomplishment.

Charisma key:Gradually build your ability to focus. Start by trying to stay on task for five minutes. Assess how you can limit distractions.

Adapted from THE LAWS OF CHARISMA: How to Captivate, Inspire, and Influence for Maximum Success by Kurt W. Mortensen (AMACOM 2010).

Charisma Blind Spots

Think you already have charisma? You might be surprised to see where you've been misled and what you lack. In his new book, THE LAWS OF CHARISMA (AMACOM 2010), Kurt W. Mortensen highlights the blind spots (or common mistakes) that accompany each of the skills, traits, and attributes associated with charisma. Here are a few to reflect on:

• People skills. The ability to connect with people is critical for charisma. Yet, many times people perceive an attempt to gain rapport as over-eagerness or insincerity. Blind spot:Do you know an annoying person who rubs you the wrong way? Do you know a nerdy person who thinks she is cool? Do you know a person who other people pretend to like just to be polite? Well, that person could be you. How well do you really get along with different personalities? Charismatic people work on their people skills every day.

• Influence. Charisma—getting others to do what you want them to do and to like doing it—goes hand in hand with influence. Just like power, influence is neutral. It depends on how you use it. A subtle art and science, influence can be applied without manipulating anyone to benefit everyone involved. It takes hard work and a soft touch. Blind spot:Most people exert influence in the wrong way. They tend to try to influence others as they like to be influenced and wind up getting only short-term compliance. Or worse, they resort to coercion. Charismatic people read others before rushing in and adapt their approach to ensure long-term compliance and genuine support.

• Eye contact. Listeners can determine the truthfulness, intelligence, and feelings of a speaker through the eyes. Charismatic people have the ability to engage others with their eyes and create instant, powerful connections. Blind spot:The most common blunder is thinking, "How hard can this be?? Mastering eye contact takes some practice. One standard gaze will not connect with everyone. To be effective, the length and intensity of eye contact must vary depending on the person, personality, and culture. Having charisma is difficult when your stare makes someone feel uncomfortable.

• Goodwill. Mastering the power of charisma doesn't mean having others look up to you and serve you. When you focus on others, show kindness, and offer charity, the focus will return to you. When you look for the good in others, you become better yourself. Blind spot:Having and showing goodwill towards others is something most of us think we are already doing. Ask yourself whether you can do more. Being kind to others empowers them and increases your charisma. Do not wait until you have more time and money to give back. Start practicing goodwill and charity today.

Adapted from THE LAWS OF CHARISMA: How to Captivate, Inspire, and Influence for Maximum Success by Kurt W. Mortensen (AMACOM 2010).

Review Quotes

"For readers early in their careers or who are stuck in a rut, this work might offer a practical look at possible blind spots or 'perception biases' and fundamental skills to work on. For bosses, the straight-forward tips might provide a safe and constructive teaching tool." —Publishers Weekly

"...it's well written, makes great and good sense, and has much to offer financial professionals. It doesn't just deal with common sense, although there's plenty of that, it gets into the science of human interaction..." —Life Insurance Selling

"Follow the simple lessons and you can't help but improve your career and interpersonal relationships...highly recommended." —Clark's Eye on Books

"...kind of a book which you simply can't put down until you've read it all. And at the end expect your Charisma quotient to rise by at least 50 percent." —Career Bright

Cover Copy

Charisma is the key that will unlock the door to improved relationships, greater income, and enhanced success in every area of your life. Focusing on the four core elements of this powerful (and often misunderstood) quality—The Laws of Charisma shows you how to:

• Create the kind of instant rapport that will persuade and empower anyone.

Filled with easy-to-apply practical guidance, helpful self-assessment tools, and encouragement throughout, this book gives you everything you need to bring out the enviably charismatic person that you've always had within you.

Praise for Previous Books by Kurt W. Mortensen

Persuasion IQ: The 10 Skills You Need to Get Exactly What You Want

"Simultaneously useful and entertaining, this book is a thought-provoking examination into developing a vital talent." —Publishers Weekly

"Kurt Mortensen's book Persuasion IQ [is] a terrific read and a sure-fire way to improve and enhance your powers of persuasion. This easy-to-read book reveals how you can change minds, influence others, and reach your ultimate goals!" —Larry King, host of CNN's Larry King Live!

"As an entrepreneur, my business relies on the skills learned from Kurt Mortensen in his bestselling book, Maximum Influence. In his new book, Persuasion IQ, Kurt has hit another grand slam! His '10 obstacles that limit your persuasion success' alone will be invaluable to your personal and business success." — G. William Barnett II, author of the bestselling book Are You Dumb Enough to Be Rich?

"I am one of Kurt Mortensen's biggest fans and love all his teachings! His new book Persuasion IQ is brilliant and a must-read for success! Everyone is in sales, and Persuasion IQ really gives people the tools and skills to cultivate their natural abilities to be better communicators, sales?people, managers, and entrepreneurs. I have studied persuasion a long time and I think that Kurt Mortensen is the best of the best! — Lee Milteer, Millionaire Smarts? Coach, author of Success Is an Inside Job

Maximum Influence: The 12 Universal Laws of Power Persuasion

"The most complete work on persuasion and influence I have ever read." —Robert G. Allen, author of Nothing Down and Multiple Streams of Income

"A powerful tool for those in sales, for those wishing to influence a boss, or for those wanting others to 'do different.' —The Roanoke Times

Jacket Copy

It's breathtaking to watch someone with charisma enter a room. The sound of their voice and their mere presence seem to have a captivating effect on everyone around them. It's as if an invisible field of energy surrounds them, mesmerizing others like a magical spell.Your career, your relationships, and your income are all related to your ability to radiate this mysterious trait. But what is charisma? Is it something with which only a lucky charismatic few are born? Or is it something that can be learned?

Much more than simply charm, likability, presence, or passion, charisma allows you to build rapport instantly, inspire others, and influence them to your way of thinking, all while putting them at ease. In The Laws of Charisma, Kurt W. Mortensen, one of America's leading authorities on persuasion and influence, reveals the specific skills, traits, and attributes associated with charisma that you can learn, develop, and master.

Filled with practical, powerful tools, exercises, and assessments, The Laws of Charisma enables you to:

• Get others to believe in you, trust you, and want to be influenced by you.

• Emanate energy, conviction, and assurance.

• Energize everyone around you with your enthusiasm, passion, and expectations.

• Learn the eye contact and listening skills that will enable you to communicate effectively without speaking.

• Leverage self-discipline and willpower to get what you want effortlessly while riding a wave of goodwill.

• Get others to not only want to do what you want them to do…but beg you to do it, like doing it, and tell all their friends that they should be doing it too!

Each chapter of The Laws of Charisma presents one of the thirty critical skills or traits essential to this enigmatic and powerful characteristic so often associated with those who are successful, well liked, and happy. The book provides both current and historical examples of how each component can be and has been used, how you can apply each one in your own life in any circumstance, and common blunders to watch out for. Mortensen also provides quotes that offer insight on each area of charisma, and in each chapter supplies you with a special Charisma Key that gives you something concrete that you can do and apply right away.

We all know charismatic people. They command our attention and we hang on their every word. Just meeting them makes us feel better. Imagine your success in life once you develop the ability to ride that same wave of positivity, momentum, and goodwill. The Laws of Charisma will give you the practical guidance, wisdom, and confidence to transform yourself and your entire life.

KURT W. MORTENSEN is one of America's leading authorities on persuasion, motivation, and influence. A highly sought-after consultant, trainer, seminar leader, and speaker, he is the author of Maximum Influence and Persuasion IQ. He can be found online at www.lawsofcharisma.com and www.kurtmortensen.com.

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We have very competitive discounts starting at 5 copies, as well as personal service, for bulk orders. Simply contact our Special Sales Department. Call 800-250-5308 or 212-903-8420 and ask for Special Sales. You can also email: SpecSlsWeb@amanet.org